Cleveland Clinic Laboratories (CCL) provides a number of options for clients to use when sending specimens for testing. Information technology solutions and processes are managed by the Center for Pathology Informatics (CPI) within CCL. Because every client is unique, choices, preparation and validation processes may vary somewhat between facilities. Regardless of which option a client chooses, CPI will work to support and provide assistance to the client to ensure a smooth transition to testing services.

CPI resources include a dedicated analyst who will assist each client with the implementation of one of these various types of solutions:

Paper Requisitions
In this model the client is provided with custom requisitions for ordering clinical pathology and/or anatomic pathology laboratory testing. Ideally, the client is responsible for collecting patient samples and sending them to Cleveland Clinic Laboratories. Alternatively, patients may be sent to select Cleveland Clinic Family Health Centers for sample collection. Results are returned to clients via fax to ensure timely reporting. Printed results may also be sent via mail.

Web-based Portal for OE/RR
CCL offers a secure web-based option for order entry and result reporting. This option requires internet access. Clients are able to order clinical pathology and/or anatomic pathology testing for their patients. Orders are sent electronically to CCL laboratory information systems through encrypted connections and are available as soon as the client confirms sample collection. Alternatively, patients may be sent to select Cleveland Clinic Family Health Centers for sample collection. Orders are matched with the requisitions and specimens which are sent to CCL for immediate processing upon receipt within the laboratories. When testing is completed, results are sent to the web portal for viewing by the client. In addition, hard copy reports can be provided via fax or local printing.

EMR Interface
Clients can interface their office Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems to CCL laboratory information systems via CCL’s interface engine. This option allows clients to order clinical pathology and/or anatomic pathology testing for their patients within their own EMR (provided it has this capability). Orders are sent electronically to CCL laboratory information systems through encrypted connections and are available as soon as the client confirms sample collection. These orders are matched with the requisitions and specimens which are sent to CCL for immediate processing upon receipt within the laboratories. When testing is completed, results are sent to the client’s EMR for viewing (again if the EMR has that capability). This option provides complete electronic transfer of orders and results. It requires testing and validation of orders and results from the client EMR to CCL systems and back. No test will be put into production or made available without documented testing and validation. Clients may also have access to the web based OE/RR system for ordering tests not validated though the EMR interface. In this case hard copy results are returned by fax. The client will be able to view results through the portal and print copies if desired.

LIS Interface
CCL can interface a hospital client’s laboratory information system (LIS) to CCL laboratory information systems via CCL’s interface engine. This option allows clients to order clinical pathology and/or anatomic pathology testing for their patients within their own LIS (provided it has this capability). For clients with separate clinical pathology and anatomic pathology systems, separate interfaces would be required. Orders are sent electronically to CCL laboratory information systems through encrypted connections and are available as soon as the client completes the reference laboratory send order function within their LIS. These orders are matched with appropriate manifests and specimens that are sent to CCL for processing upon receipt within the laboratories. When testing is completed, results are sent automatically to the client’s LIS. This option provides complete electronic transfer of orders and results between LISs, and requires testing and validation of orders and results from the client LIS or LISs to CCL systems and back. No test will be put into production or made available without documented testing and validation. Clients may also have access to the web based OE/RR system for ordering tests not validated though the EMR interface. In this case hard copy results are returned by fax. The client will be able to view results through the portal and print copies if desired.


Back to top